Date of Award
12-1986
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jack L. Michael
Second Advisor
Dr. Alan Poling
Third Advisor
Dr. Wayne Fuqua
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Six White Carneaux pigeons were exposed to fixed-ratio schedule components in a systematic replication of a study by Michael et al. (1981). Separation between median latencies for the two schedule components was demonstrated consistently, reproducing the general features of that research. In a subsequent manipulation, differential stimulus conditions were introduced into the intertrial intervals preceding onset of schedule components in an effort to enhance the likelihood that differential "waiting behaviors" would develop. Two subjects demonstrated a clear decrease in the magnitude of the latency splits following introduction of the cued ITI condition, while other subjects evidenced a similar but less distinct effect. Those results are discussed in terms of a stimulus change analysis of operant latency and are interpreted with reference to Skinner's (1950) conclusions regarding the role of waiting behaviors in latency measures.
Recommended Citation
Whitley, Franklin Paul, "Effects of Cued Intertrial Intervals on Response Latency in Pigeons" (1986). Masters Theses. 1279.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1279